New Year Resolutions

Yet another new year. A fresh start. New beginnings. People use the 31^st of December to cleanse themselves of the past, to wipe their slate clean, and to make new vows and resolve to stick to them. It’s like taking a dip in the Ganga river. One leaves behind the old and sheds off all old sins and begins their life anew. In my opinion it’s ok to move forward and not look back, provided you take responsibility for your actions and don’t end up saying “Oh it was all 2012’s fault. That wasn’t me!”

I have given this whole ‘making resolutions’ some real thought. The longest anyone goes to sticking to his or her rules is 15 days, at the most. Whether it is to quit smoking, eat less, exercise daily, etc. Things that you had probably NEVER done that entire year and thought by some miracle you have been reborn with the renewed strength to carry out your new goals. Nonsense! You end up making the same resolutions at the end of that very year!

So what’s the solution? I would say make realistic resolutions. Set realistic goals that you know you can achieve without berating yourself for failing at something you knew was inevitably going to happen. I would also say set goals for the betterment of others, not just yourself. Not “I will be more on time.” “I will not gossip.” “I, I, I!” 

By vowing to contribute to a charitable institution, or helping the poor, or giving back to society in some small minuscule way, you are setting an invisible goal for yourself- being selfless. Being a better person by thinking about others. I am no one to preach! I am as guilty of being the selfish one. But yes, after a lot of self realization I will add this to my list of ‘Good things for 2014’ and will ensure I follow through with it, even if it takes me a whole year!

As we can see around us, the world itself is moving in the direction of self realization and cleansing. When things are at their worst, it only means they will get better. The evil is being sought out and removed, and at least in our country India we’re seeing more unity amongst the people. There is more goodness and strength. People are now realizing that individual actions make an impact.

Ok so now I’m digressing and need to come back to our topic of discussion. What New Year resolutions really are and what should they comprise of?

As I mentioned before, it’s a second chance to mend our ways and leave behind the mistakes of the past year, in hope that we can correct them and move forward. All in the betterment of ourselves, and I hope for our planet too.

My 2013 resolutions looked something like this:

1. Take people at face value

2. Re-evaluate my relationships with people and what to expect

3. Operate from a place of love

4. Keep secrets

5. Don't publicise crushes

6. Don't discuss other people's lives

7. Don't talk about something before it happens

8. Be more attentive when someone is talking to me

9. Be aware, even when inebriated. So you don't need to apologize for anything the next day

10. Accept that you are not in control of everything & there are external factors in play.

The funny thing is I haven’t been able to stick to even one! Which made me re-think that I need to make fewer and more realistic ones to start off my year. And then keep adding to the list as I master the initial ones. That way you don’t feel like a failure and you actually accomplish what you’ve set out to do!

So my 2014 resolutions go something like this:

1. Better time management

2. Don’t just ‘try’. DO!

I figured that’s a good enough start to anything that one would want to accomplish at the start of the year.

Since I don’t smoke, that's already an accomplishment! I debated giving up non-vegetarian food, but I realized it was a highly unrealistic goal! Better to take baby steps and go off meat for 2 days a week. Achieving the smallest goals gives you the greatest sense of accomplishment. Setting high, unrealistic goals makes you end up feeling like a failure.

So go ahead and set 3 resolutions at the maximum for yourself for 2014. 

As I always say, I have a good feeling about this year.. :)